When did Patsy Palmer join EastEnders? Is she still in it now?

In 1993 Patsy was cast in the role of feisty Bianca Jackson in EastEnders.

Bianca's on-off romance with Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) captivated millions of fans and their on-screen marriage in 1997 drew one of the biggest soap audiences ever – it also coined the phrase “Rickaaay”.

She remained in the role for six years, but quit in 1999 to spend more time with her family and to concentrate on other projects.

In May 2002 she reprised the role in a special spin-off entitled, EastEnders: Ricky and Bianca.

In 2005, Patsy publicly criticised EastEnders, branding the storylines ridiculous and unbelievable and stating that she "wouldn't go back”.

However, in October 2007 the BBC announced that Patsy would be returning to the soap as a full-time character; she made her comeback on-screen in April 2008.

But in 2014 it was announced she was leaving the show, and she hasn’t been back since.